Armed disturbance outside Redding Headstart leads to foot chase, man’s arrest
REDDING, Calif., — Reports of a man seen brandishing a weapon outside the Redding Rancheria Headstart and causing a disturbance led to the armed suspect’s arrest Friday afternoon, Nov. 5.
Although the man, who lives adjacent to the school where the incident occurred, initially fled from deputies who responded to multiple 911 calls regarding the suspect’s bizarre and violent behavior, he was eventually taken into custody with help from a Sheriff’s K-9.
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Shasta County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the school, located on the 1900 block of Redding Rancheria Road, around 12:30 p.m. after numerous employees and parents called SHASCOM to report that a man was hitting the building and possibly attempting to assault staff, Shasta County Sheriff’s Sergeant Bodner later reported.
When deputies arrived they located 23-year-old Austin Evan Schumacher in the front yard of his home, which borders the school.
With assistance from K-9 “Fritz”, deputies who responded to reports of an armed disturbance outside the Redding Rancheria Headstart Friday afternoon arrested Austin Schumacher after he fled on foot toward the creek. SCSO photos
Schumacher fled from approaching deputies, running on foot into the greenbelt next to Clear Creek, but pursuing deputies quickly located him hiding under a bush near the creek.
“Schumacher initially brandished a striking weapon towards deputies, but eventually dropped the weapon,” Bodner explained.
Despite dropping the unspecified weapon, Schumacher continued to refuse deputies’ commands, at which time K-9 “Fritz” was deployed to apprehend him.
“Schumacher continued to struggle but was eventually detained by deputies,” said the Sergeant.
After further interviews with school staff, deputies determined Schumacher did not attempt to physically assault any children or staff members. However, he was confirmed to have brandished an unspecified weapon toward staff members, causing them to fear for their safety, according to the Sergeant.
Schumacher was arrested and treated at a local hospital for injuries sustained while being taken into custody. He was then booked into the Shasta County Jail on suspicion of possessing a weapon on prohibited grounds, two counts of brandishing a deadly weapon other than firearm and obstructing or resisting a peace officer.
Online jail records indicate he remains in custody in lieu of $2,500 bail or bond.
No injuries to citizens or officials were reported as a result of this incident.
Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call SHASCOM at (530) 245-6540. Callers can refer to incident file number 21S025977 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.